Then the host asked him if he thought he’d learned anything by sharing his home with this animal. The man said he was looking at the dog, resting comfortably on his couch, as she patiently waited for him to take her for a walk. He said as much as this dog loved her walks, no matter how busy he became doing graphics out of his home office, the dog never pestered him. He said he often wished he could be as patient as she is. …

Jan’s relative met a suitor through an online dating service. He seemed to fit the bill, and their match was made in dog heaven. For those of you who don’t know, dog heaven is otherwise known as dog park. This is where city dogs run and play like crazy with other dogs while their adoring humans observe and visit with each other. …

Do you find yourself among that rare breed of dog lover who your friends think have gone just too far in your love for your dogs? Read on and see if any of these dog lover traits sound all too familiar. …

We sometimes hear or read the argument that living with a pet isn’t a reasonable or logical lifestyle choice. The financial cost of vet bills and food, the additional cleaning that is necessary, and other responsibilities seem prohibitive to some. …

The other day Linda couldn’t find her glasses. Unfortunately this isn’t an unusual occurrence, as she often absentmindedly takes them off and forgets where she put them. On this occasion, she searched all the regular spots. …

One recent afternoon we were rushed and had little time to spare. Yet we knew our black cocker spaniel, Leaf, needed at least a short time to get some exercise. We raced over to his favorite play place — the dog park. …

The hundreds of stories we’ve collected from all over the world show animals as conscious, sentient, spiritual beings who reason, create, and choose. These are concepts most people find difficult, even unnerving to believe. …